Cervical collar brace with cable adjustment

ABSTRACT

A cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar, and a second chin side support pivotally mounted to the main body collar. A cable adjuster adjustably secures the first and second chin side supports to the main body collar and includes a rotatable wheel, one or more cables, and one or more lift effectors for lifting the chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chin piece is provided for supporting a wearer&#39;s chin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/451,704, filed on Apr. 20, 2012, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention related to an orthopedic brace and in particularrelates to cervical collar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred form, the present invention comprisesa cervical collar brace including a main body collar, a first chin sidesupport pivotally mounted relative to the main body collar, and a secondchin side support pivotally mounted relative to the main body collar. Acable adjuster is provided for adjustably securing the first and secondchin side supports to the main body collar, with the cable adjusterincluding a rotatable wheel, one or more cables secured to the rotatablewheel, and one or more lift effectors coupled to the first and secondchin side supports for lifting the chin side supports in response torotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotation direction. A chinpiece is provided for supporting a wearer's chin and in turn issupported by the chin side supports. Preferably, the one or more cablesare guided for lifting the chin side supports with the use of a capstanand cable guide tubes.

Optionally, the capstans can be in the form of rotating pulleys.Alternatively, the capstans can be fixed pivot pins, if desired. ForAlso preferably, the one or more cables comprise two cables, one foreach chin side support. Alternatively, a single continuous cable can beemployed to operate both chin side supports.

Optionally, the cervical collar brace also includes a biasing member forbiasing the first and second chin side supports toward a loweredposition and wherein the cable adjuster is operable for raising the chinside supports against the biasing of the biasing member. Preferably, thebiasing member comprises one or more resilient rubber bands.

In one form the cable adjuster does not restrict the position of thechin side supports to discrete positions relative to the main bodycollar, but instead is infinitely variable within a range of motion. Inanother form the cable adjuster restricts the position of the chin sidesupports to discrete positions relative to the main body collar. In thisregard, the rotatable wheel can be secured in discrete positions by hardstops.

Preferably, the one or more cables is/are guided within guide elementsformed in or secured to the main body collar. In one preferred form, theguide elements guide one end of the one or more cables through an upperopening through which the cable can be partially drawn to raise the chinside supports relative to the main body collar.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reading the following specification inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cervical collar brace according to afirst example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the orthopedic braceof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another cervical collar brace accordingto a second example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of theorthopedic brace of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of theorthopedic brace of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of a portion of theorthopedic brace of FIG. 3 according to a third example embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a portion of the orthopedic brace ofFIG. 3, wherein the support arm is fully lifted.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a portion of the orthopedic brace ofFIG. 3, wherein the support arm is fully lowered.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the cable adjuster of theorthopedic brace of FIG. 3 according to a fourth example embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the cable adjuster of theorthopedic brace of FIG. 3 according to a fifth example embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a right side perspective view of a cervical collar braceaccording to a sixth example embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a left side perspective view of the orthopedic brace of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is a close up perspective view of a portion of the orthopedicbrace of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a close up perspective view of a portion of the orthopedicbrace of FIG. 10, showing the connection of cables with the rotatablewheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like reference numbersrefer to like parts throughout the several views, preferred forms of thepresent invention will now be described by way of example embodiments.It is to be understood that the embodiments described and depictedherein are only selected examples of the many and various forms that thepresent invention may take, and that these examples are not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in thespecification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or“approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or“approximately” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like referencenumbers represent like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3show a cervical collar brace 10 according to a first example embodimentof the present invention. In example embodiments, the cervical collar 10includes a main collar body 20, a first chin support member 30, a secondchin support member 40, a chin piece 50, and a cable adjuster 60.Typically, the first and second chin supports 30 and 40 pivotally mountto the main collar body 20, and the chin piece 50 pivotally mounts tothe first and second chin supports 30, 40. Thus, the chin supports 30and 40 can pivot relative to the main collar body 20 and the chin piece50 can pivot relative to the chin supports 30 and 40. The cable adjuster60 is partially housed within the main collar body 20 and adjustablysecures the chin supports 30 and 40 to the main collar body 20. With asingle motion of the cable adjuster 60, the chin supports 30 and 40pivot relative to the main collar body 20, thereby lifting or loweringthe pivotally-mounted chin piece 50 to support a wearer's chin. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the cervical collar 10 can bemade in a variety of sizes and shapes so as to accommodate users ofvarious body sizes.

The main collar body 20 generally comprises a “U-shaped” member having afirst (closed) end 21 for placement against a wearer's neck or chestregion and a second (open) end 22 for wrapping around the sides of awearer's neck or head. In typical embodiments, the main collar body 20has one or more holes, pins, slots or other mounting elements toaccommodate mounting or cooperating elements of the collar brace 10. Inexample embodiments, the first end 21 includes an orifice or aperture 25formed therein to receive a portion of the cable adjuster 60. The secondend 22 includes a first arm 23 and a second arm 24 generally shaped forplacement against a wearer's shoulders. Each arm 23, 24 is pivotallymounted to the chin side supports 30, 40. In one form, the pivotalconnection is formed by a pivot hole formed in the chin supports 30, 40and in the arms 23, 24, with pivot pins 33, 43 received in the pivotholes. Also, first slots 122, 142 are formed in the main collar body 20for accompanying the cable adjuster 60. Optionally, one or morechannels, pathways, and/or conduits can be mounted to, within, orpartially within the main collar body 20 for guiding a portion of thecable adjuster 60.

The chin supports 30, 40 are generally elongate members having a firstend 32, 42 and a second end 34, 44 generally opposite thereto. Inexample embodiments, the chin supports 30, 40 are mirror images of oneanother. The first ends 32, 42 of the chin supports 30, 40 have pivotholes 36, 46 to assist in pivotally mounting the same to the pivot holesof the first and second arms 23, 24. The second ends 34, 44 of the chinsupports 30, 40 have mounting holes 38, 48 to assist in pivotallymounting the chin piece 50 thereto. Further, the chin supports 30, 40include second slots 124, 144 formed therein between the first andsecond ends for accompanying the cable adjuster 60. Preferably, thefirst end 32 of the first chin support 30 pivotally mounts to the firstarm 23 and the first end 42 of the second chin support 40 pivotallymounts to the second arm 24. Various types of pins, screws, clips orother fasteners can be used to pivotally secure the members together. Inpreferred embodiments, the second ends 34, 44 of the pivotally mountedchin supports 30, 40 generally extend towards the first end 21 of themain collar body 20. In additional example embodiments, one or morechannels and/or pathways can be mounted to, within, or partially withinthe chin supports 30, 40 for guiding a portion of the cable adjuster 60.

The chin piece 50 is a delta-shaped member having a first end 52 andsecond end 54 generally opposite thereto. The first and second ends 52,54 have mounting holes to assist in pivotally mounting the same to thesecond end mounting holes 38, 48 of the chin supports 30, 40.Preferably, one or more pins, screws, clips, or other fastenerspivotally mount the first end 52 mounting hole of the chin piece 50 tothe second end mounting hole 38 of the first chin support 30 and thesecond end 54 mounting hole of the chin piece 50 to the second endmounting hole 48 of the second chin support 40.

The cable adjuster 60 generally includes a rotatable wheel 70, a knob80, a plurality of mating or catching surfaces 90, cables 100 and 102,and first and second lift effectors 120, 140. In typical embodiments,the rotatable wheel 70 has two cables 100, 102 mounted thereto andpivotally mounts within the aperture 25. In one example, one cablehaving a sufficient length to reach both lift effectors 120, 140 ismounted to the rotatable wheel 70 at its midpoint. Alternatively, twocables 100, 102 can each be attached to the rotatable wheel 70 andrespective lift effectors 120, 140. Free ends of the cables extend toeach arm 23, 24 or each chin support 30, 40 where they are mounted topins 126, 146 for slidably coupling the first slots 122, 142 to thesecond slots 124, 144. Preferably, the pins 126, 146 are permitted totravel within the slots wherein rotation of the rotatable wheel 70causes the pins 126, 146 to lift the second ends of thepivotally-mounted chin supports 30, 40 relative to the main collar body20.

Optionally, the cervical collar 10 can include a posterior member orrear head support 54 for placing against a wearer's rear neck or head(see FIG. 3). Preferably one or more apertures are formed therein toreceive a hook or loop material to be removably mounted or secured to ahook or loop material on the collar 10. Further, the first end of themain body collar 20 can include an integral or removably mountedskirt-like flange 56 for additional cushioning support to a wearer'sneck or chest region.

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the cable adjuster 60 according to a secondexample embodiment. In general, one or more biasing springs can bemounted within the orifice 25 of the main body collar 20 to control thebehavior of the rotatable wheel 70 and one or more elements of the cableadjuster 60 can include mating or catching surfaces to secure therotatable wheel 70 to particular discrete positions. In typicalembodiments, the orifice 25 includes a first end 26 and a second end 27.Optionally, instead of using hand catches to provide discrete stops, onecan use smooth friction surfaces to provide infinitely variablepositioning. The first end 26 includes one or more catching surfaces ordetents 90 surrounding a central opening and the second end 27 includesan opening sized to receive the rotatable wheel 70. Preferably, theopening of the second end 27 is larger than the opening of the first end26. In additional example embodiments, the orifice 25 can have asubstantially similar first and second side and a separate fitting canbe used to form one or more catching surfaces or detents 90 (see FIG.2).

In example embodiments, the rotatable wheel 70 is housed within thesecond end of the orifice 25 and mounts to a knob 80 positioned close tothe first end 26. The knob 80 includes a grasping area to permit awearer or user to rotate the rotatable wheel 70, indents or catchingsurfaces to mate with the detents 90 of the first end 26, a centralshaft to couple to the rotatable wheel 70, and a bore within the knob toreceive a screw or fastener. Preferably, the central shaft of the knob80 extends through the central opening of the first end 26 of theorifice 25 and mounts within a recessed portion of the rotatable wheel70. Generally, the central shaft of the knob 80 and the recessed portionof the rotatable wheel 70 have a substantially similar contour to engageand couple to one another. Preferably, the rotatable wheel is secured indiscrete positions by the catching surfaces or hard stops. This can beselected by pulling the knob 80 away from the orifice 25, therebyremoving the indents from the detents 90, turning the knob to thedesired position while remaining disengaged from the detents, and thenreturning the knob 80 to its unpulled state. Those skilled in the artwill further understand that a mechanism permitting the rotatable wheel70 to be secured in infinitely variable positions (for example arotatable disc and a selective brake to lock at a desired position) canbe used and still be within the scope of the invention.

Additionally, a coil spring 72 can be positioned between the pivotallymounted rotatable wheel 70 and knob 80. Preferably, the coil spring 72is housed within the second end 27 of the orifice 25 and biases the knob80 towards the second end 27, thereby preventing the rotatable wheel 70from rotating by forcing the catching surfaces of the knob 80 and firstend 26 of the orifice 25 to engage each other. When it is desired toreposition the rotatable wheel 70, the knob 80 can be pulled away fromthe orifice and rotated. Optionally, a screw or fastener 74 can be usedto further secure the rotatable wheel 70 to the knob 80 and prevent thebias of the coil spring 72 from decoupling the two.

Moreover, a spiral-like torsion spring 75 can couple to the rotatablewheel 70 to bias the wheel towards an unwound position. As depicted inFIGS. 4-6, the torsion spring 75 is housed within a portion of therotatable wheel 70 and secured by a cap 76. The cap 76 generallyincludes a central shaft to couple to a central portion of the torsionspring 75 and a perimeter flange to mount to the second end 27 of theorifice 25. For example, as the rotatable wheel 70 is rotated in a firstdirection, the central shaft of the cap 76 remains stationary,preventing the central portion of the torsion spring from rotating withthe rotatable wheel 70, and the outer perimeter of the torsion spring isforced to rotate with the rotatable wheel 70. When the unwound positionis desired, the mating surfaces of the orifice first end 26 and the knob80 are disengaged from one another, and while the mating surfaces remaindisengaged by continuously overcoming the bias of the coil spring 72,the knob 80 and coupled rotatable wheel 70 can be easily turned to anunwound position by the bias of the torsion spring 75.

FIG. 6 shows a partial cut-away view of a portion of the cable adjuster60 according to a third example embodiment. In general, the portion ofthe cable adjuster 60 includes the orifice 25 comprising one or moredetents 90. The rotatable wheel 70 is housed within the second end 27and coupled to the central shaft of the knob 80. The torsion spring 75is housed within a portion of the rotatable wheel 70, and the cap 76encloses the second end 27 and couples to the central portion of thetorsion spring 75. In this configuration, the coil spring 72 is removedbetween the rotatable wheel 70 and the knob 80 wherein the rotatablewheel 70 can be unwound by removing the indents of the knob 80 from thedetents 90 a first time. When the original unwound position is desired,the indents of the knob 80 are disengaged from the detents 90 and theknob 80 and the coupled rotatable wheel 70 is freely biased to anunwound position.

FIGS. 7A-B show perspective views of the first lift effector 120including a portion of the main body collar 20 and the pivotally mountedfirst chin side support 30. As described herein, the first and secondlift effectors 120, 140 are mirror images of one another and thus onlylift effector 120 will be discussed. Since the cable winding orunwinding around the rotatable wheel 70 actuates both the first andsecond lift effectors 120, 140, the first and second chin supports 30,40 move up or down at the same time, at the same rate, and for the samedistance. The lift effector 120 includes the first slot 122 formedwithin the first arm 23 of the main body collar 20, the second slot 124formed within the first chin side support 30, the pin 126 coupling theslots 122, 124 together, and a cable 100 having a first end mounted tothe rotatable wheel 70 and a second end mounted to the pin 126. From alowered position (rotatable wheel unwound), the pin 126 is driven withinthe first slot 122 by turning the rotatable wheel 70 (see FIG. 7B).Subsequently, as the pin 126 is forced to travel within the first slot122, the second slot 124 is forced to adjust accordingly, therebylifting the pivotally mounted chin support 30 (see FIG. 7A). Thoseskilled in the art will further understand that slots of a variety ofshapes, sizes or configurations can be used and still be within thescope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will further understandthat pins of many shapes, sizes, forms, configurations orfrictional-fits can be used and still be within the scope of theinvention.

Optionally, the slots can include one or more catching surfaces orindents to interact with a portion of the cable adjuster 60, for exampleto maintain a particular position of the chin supports 30, 40 if thecatching surfaces or indents 90 of the cable adjuster 60 were releasedunintentionally, permitting the rotatable wheel 70 to unwind.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a portion of the first lift effector120 according to a fourth example embodiment. As described herein, thefirst and second lift effectors 120, 140 are mirror images of oneanother and thus only lift effector 120 will be discussed. In exampleembodiments, the cord 100 is guided from the rotatable wheel 70 to a topportion of the first slot 122 through a conduit or tube 104, for examplelike a Bowden cable used to operate a bicycle braking system. The tube104 can be mounted to, within, or partially within the main collar body20. Further, the cord extends within or near the slot 122 and mounts tothe pin 126. The cord 100 can be mounted to the pin by tying a knot, aloop, a looped or notched member within or extending from the pin 126,or by any other connector. As the rotatable wheel 70 is turned, thecable 100 is drawn and raises the pin 126, further raising the chinsupport 30 (see FIG. 7A).

In additional example embodiments, the lift effectors 120, 140 caninclude one or more biasing members for biasing the first and secondchin supports 30, 40 towards a lowered position. As depicted in FIG. 8,a biasing member or resilient rubber band 128 is mounted to the pin 126at a first end and to a post 130 at a second end. The biasing member 128biases the pin 126 towards a bottom portion of the slot 122, therebybiasing the pivotally mounted first chin support 30 toward a loweredposition. Preferably, the bias of the biasing member 128 is adjusted topermit the cable adjuster 60 to operate. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that one or more gears could be used to reduce the rotationalforce required to overcome the bias of the biasing member 128.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a portion of the first lift effector120 according to a fifth example embodiment. In example embodiments, thecord 100 is guided from the rotatable wheel 70 to a generally centralportion of the first arm 23 through a conduit or tube 204, for example aBowden cable. Further, the cord extends from the end of the generallycentrally-positioned tube 204 and passes around one or more structuresor connectors before mounting to the pin 126. For example, the cord 100passes around a first post 230 and under a second post 232 (generallyforming a backwards “S” shape), and further passes over a third post 234close to the top portion of the slot 122 before mounting to the pin 126.Preferably, the posts have one or more apertures to thread and guide thecord 100 therethrough. Additionally, the cord 100 can be mounted to thepin by tying a knot, a loop, a looped or notched member within orextending from the pin 126, or by any other connector. Similarly, as therotatable wheel 70 is turned, the cable 100 is drawn and raises the pin126, further raising the chin support 30 (see FIG. 7A). Those skilled inthe art will understand that one or more pulleys, guides, orfriction-reducing elements can be used and still be within the scope ofthe invention.

In additional example embodiments, the cable 100 can further extend tothe second slots 124, 144 of the first and second lift effectors 120,140. In example embodiments, the cable 100 can be guided close to thesecond slots 124, 144 through a tube (e.g., like tube 104 or 204). Inthis manner, by turning the rotatable wheel 70, the pin (e.g., like pin126, 146) is forced to travel within the second slots 124, 144, and thefirst slots 122, 142 are forced to adjust accordingly. Additionally, thecable 100 can be guided through the pivots where the first and secondchin supports 30, 40 are mounted to the arms 23, 24 of the main collarbody 20.

In commercial embodiments, the elements of the cervical collar 10 aregenerally made of a plastic (e.g., polyethylene, thermoplastic, etc.) orother materials transparent to X-Ray, computed tomography, and magneticresonance imaging. The cervical collar 10 can also include one or moreremovable pads for additional comfort and support to a wearer or user.Preferably, the removable pads are made of a laminated foam material ora material suitable to wick away moisture and to reduce skin irritation.In example embodiments, one side of the removable pads comprises a loopmaterial (or fabric having a weave that cooperates with hook material)and one side comprises a material suitable to be placed against the skinof a user or wearer. Any portion of the main collar body 20, first orsecond chin support 30, 40, chin piece 50, optional rear head support54, and/or optional flange 56 can include hook material for cooperatingwith the loop material of the one or more removable pads.

FIGS. 10-12 show a cervical collar brace 610 according to a sixthexample embodiment of the present invention. The cervical collar 610includes a main collar body 620, a first chin support member 630, asecond chin support member 640, a chin piece 650, and a cable adjuster660. The first and second chin supports 630 and 640 are pivotallymounted relative to the main collar body 620, and the chin piece 650 ispivotally mounted relative to the first and second chin supports 630,640. Thus, the chin supports 630 and 640 can pivot relative to the maincollar body 620 and the chin piece 650 can pivot relative to the chinsupports 630 and 640.

The cable adjuster 660 is mounted to the main collar body 620 andadjustably secures the chin supports 630 and 640 to the main collar body620. With a single motion of the cable adjuster 660, the chin supports630 and 640 pivot relative to the main collar body 620, thereby liftingor lowering the pivotally-mounted chin piece 650 to support a wearer'schin. The cable adjuster 660 includes a rotatable wheel 670 or knob anda pair of cables 680, 690 secured to the rotatable wheel 670.

A pair of lift effectors 710, 715 are coupled to the first and secondchin side supports for lifting or lowering the chin side supports inresponse to rotation of the rotatable wheel 670. Two capstans 720, 725are positioned above the lift effectors 710, 715 for reversing amovement of the ends of the cables. In this example embodiment, thecapstans comprise rotatable pulleys. Alternatively, the capstans cancomprise fixed pins over which the cables are looped for sliding motion.

The two cables 680, 690 each include first and second end portions, withthe first end portion secured to a lift effector for pulling the lifteffector in one direction and the second portion secured to the lifteffector for pulling the lift effector in a second direction, oppositeto the first direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the singlecable 690 has a first end 691 for lifting the lift effector and a secondend 692 for pulling the lift effector downwardly. Optionally, the cablesrun in fixed tubes (secured to the collar body 620) to keep the cablesreasonably taut and allow movement of the cables to be turned intomovement of the lift effectors (by preventing the cables from assuming adifferent overall shape/orientation as they are pulled in one directionor another). See for example the fixed tubes 683, 684, 693, 694. Asmentioned above, these can be in the form of Bowden tubes. The tubes aresecured at their ends to the main collar body 620, such as by ferrules686, 687, 696, 697.

Preferably, each cable is arranged in a race-track configuration, andeach cable includes first and second end portions, with the firstportion secured to a lift effector for pulling the lift effector in onedirection and the second portion secured to the lift effector forpulling the lift effector in a second direction, opposite to the firstdirection. Thus, preferably, each cable is a single cable and its twoends are each attached to the lift effector such that moving therace-track cable in one direction lifts the lift effector and moving thecable in the opposite direction lowers the lift effector (and thus thechin piece). Preferably, the rotatable wheel is connected to an internalaxle and the cables are wrapped around the axle such that rotation ofthe rotatable wheel in one direction causes the cables to pull up on thelift effectors and rotation of the rotatable wheel in an oppositedirection causes the cables to pull down on the lift effectors.

FIG. 12 shows the cable adjuster's rotatable wheel 670 in greaterdetail. As depicted in this figure, the wheel 670 has a knurled orserrated circumferential edge 671 and a toothed rear surface 672. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the rotatable wheel or knob cantake various forms/shapes for convenience, aesthetics, or ergonomics.The toothed rear surface carries a small number of radially projectingteeth on the annular rear surface 672, such as teeth 673, 674, 675, 676.These teeth are adapted to engage a circular array of teeth 665. Thus,the cable adjuster is movable between various discrete positions, andthereby restricts the position of the chin side supports to discretepositions relative to the main body collar.

In other words, the rotatable wheel portion of the cable adjuster issecured in discrete positions by hard stops (the teeth). The rotatablewheel is secured in these discrete positions by hard stops which areselected by pulling out on the rotatable wheel and turning the rotatablewheel while it is pulled out and then returning the rotatable wheel toits unpulled state. Thus, the wheel can be pulled out along axis 668,rotated about the axis 668 to achieve the desired adjustment in theheight of the chin piece, and the wheel can be moved back into a lockedposition (with the teeth engaged with one another) by returning thewheel along axis 668. Preferably, a spring is provided for biasing thewheel toward its retracted position in which the teeth 673-676 areengaged with the circular array of teeth 665.

FIG. 13 shows the connection of the cables 680, 690 with the rotatablewheel 670 in greater detail. As depicted in this figure, an internalaxle or drum 677 of the rotatable wheel 670 provides for the connectionof the single cables 680, 690. In one form, the single cables 680, 690engage slots 679 formed along the periphery of the axle 677. As such,the slots 679 ensure the cables 680, 690 remain engaged therewith suchthat motion of the rotatable wheel 670 causes movement of the ends 681,682, 691, 692 of the cables 680, 690. In other forms, the single cables680, 690 may be cut or separated as desired, for example, wherein an endopposite of the end 691 is connected to one slot and wherein an endopposite the end 692 is connected to another slot of the axle 677. Inexample forms, a knot or cord protrusion can be provided to ensure thatthe cords remain engaged with the slots 679. Optionally, glues,adhesives or other forms of connecting or coupling additives can be usedwith the cables 680, 690 and slots 679 as desired.

In FIGS. 10-13, the collar is shown with an outer covering thereofremoved, for clarity of illustration such that the cables and the tubesare depicted as mounted on an inside portion of the collar. In acommercial embodiment of this invention, it is expected that the tubesand cables will be covered with an outer covering.

Applicants have found that this embodiment of FIGS. 10-13 provides anexceptionally smooth adjustment of the chin piece, while also providingsecure positioning thereof.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cervical collar brace comprising: a main bodycollar; a first chin side support pivotally mounted relative to the mainbody collar; a second chin side support pivotally mounted relative tothe main body collar; a cable adjuster for adjustably securing the firstand second chin side supports relative to the main body collar, thecable adjuster comprising a rotatable wheel, one or more cables operatedby the rotatable wheel, one or more lift effectors coupled to the firstand second chin side supports for lifting the chin side supports inresponse to rotation of the rotatable wheel in a first rotationdirection, and one or more capstans positioned above the lift effectorsfor reversing a movement of at least one end of the one or more cables;and a chin piece for supporting a wearer's chin and supported by thechin supports wherein the one or more capstans comprise one or morerotatable pulleys.
 2. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 1further comprising guide elements formed in or secured to the main bodycollar and wherein the one or more cables is/are guided within guideelements.
 3. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 2 wherein theguide elements comprise fixed guide tubes.
 4. The cervical collar braceas claimed in claim 2 wherein the guide elements guide one end of theone or more cables through an upper opening through which the cable canbe partially drawn to raise the chin side supports relative to the mainbody collar.
 5. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe one or more cables comprise two cables, one for each chin sidesupport.
 6. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 5 wherein thetwo cables each include first and second portions, with the firstportion secured to a lift effector for pulling the lift effector in onedirection and the second portion secured to the lift effector forpulling the lift effector in a second direction, opposite to the firstdirection.
 7. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe cable adjuster is movable between various discrete positions, andthereby restricts the position of the chin side supports to discretepositions relative to the main body collar.
 8. The cervical collar braceas claimed in claim 7 wherein the rotatable wheel portion of the cableadjuster is secured in discrete positions by hard stops.
 9. The cervicalcollar brace as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more cablescomprise two cables, one for each chin side support, with each cablebeing arranged in a race-track configuration, and wherein each cableincludes first and second portions, with the first portion secured to alift effector for pulling the lift effector in one direction and thesecond portion secured to the lift effector for pulling the lifteffector in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.
 10. Thecervical collar brace as claimed in claim 9 wherein rotatable wheel isconnected to an internal axle and the cables are wrapped around the axlesuch that rotation of the rotatable wheel in one direction causes thecables to pull up on the lift effectors and rotation of the rotatablewheel in an opposite direction causes the cables to pull down on thelift effectors.
 11. The cervical collar brace as claimed in claim 1wherein the one or more capstans comprise one or more fixed pins overwhich the one or more cables are looped.
 12. A cervical collar bracecomprising: a main body collar; a first chin side support pivotallymounted relative to the main body collar; a second chin side supportpivotally mounted relative to the main body collar; a cable adjuster foradjustably securing the first and second chin side supports relative tothe main body collar, the cable adjuster comprising a rotatable wheel,one or more cables operated by the rotatable wheel, one or more lifteffectors coupled to the first and second chin side supports for liftingthe chin side supports in response to rotation of the rotatable wheel ina first rotation direction, and one or more capstans positioned abovethe lift effectors for reversing a movement of at least one end of theone or more cables: and a chin piece for supporting a wearer's chin andsupported by the chin supports, wherein the cable adjuster is movablebetween various discrete positions, and thereby restricts the positionof the chin side supports to discrete positions relative to the mainbody collar; wherein the rotatable wheel portion of the cable adjusteris secured in discrete positions by hard stops; and wherein therotatable wheel is secured in discrete positions by hard stops which areselected by pulling out on the rotatable wheel and turning the rotatablewheel while it is pulled out and then returning the rotatable wheel toits unpulled state.